News

Nielsen advisory on H1N1

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brent Nielsen today told the St. Cloud State University community that H1N1 influenza is causing absenteeism and resulting in sick people being on campus.

A physician and medical director of Student Health Services, Nielsen said staff members are seeing students, answering telephone calls and helping university officials make decisions about the flu's effects on campus life.

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"The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will continue to serve as the primary guidance for our campus," Nielsen said.

According to the CDC, H1N1 is is a new influenza virus first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization signaled that a pandemic of H1N1 flu was underway.

Reminders from Student Health Services:

If you are in close contact with someone who has the flu, don’t panic and don’t blame.Influenza is very prevalent in our community and many people are getting sick despite our best efforts. It is important that we continue to do all that we can to limit the spread of illness to others and focus on the general health of the community.

Students and employees who are sick with influenza-like illness (fever/chills with cough or sore throat) should stay home until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours. To avoid making others ill, students with influenza-like illness should not go work.

Faculty and supervisors should not require notes from medical providers, including Student Health Services. Students and employees may be absent while caring for family members who are ill.

The university cannot control how well individuals follow these guidelines. We ask for patience, understanding and diligence during this public health challenge.